Device for holding twines in a knotter

Abstract

A device for firmly holding the twines in an agricultural knotter as they are being knotted and cut. The length and geometry of the curved edge of the twine holding device are such that the clamping pressure on the twines in one notch is only released after the twines have been securely gripped within the next notch in succession.

1. A holding device for use in a knotter of a baler to grip twines as they are being knotted and cut, the holding device comprising:
 a rotatably mounted generally circular twine disc having notches symmetrically distributed about its periphery, the twine disc being mounted for rotation about a first axis; 
 a twine holder mounted for pivotal movement about a second axis generally parallel to the first axis and resiliently urged towards the latter, the twine holder having a curved edge that co-operates with the notches in the twine disc to clamp twines within the notches as the twine disc rotates, the length and geometry of the curved edge of the twine holder being such that the clamping pressure on the twines in one notch is only released after twines have been securely gripped within the next notch in succession and the clamping pressure on the twines in two successive notches, during the time prior to release of the clamping pressure from one notch, is sufficient to prevent movement of the twines, relative to the holding device, in both notches. 
 
   
   
     2. The holding device  claim 1 , wherein:
 the curved edge of the holding device comprises a generally arcuate central portion centered on the first axis, a lead-in region at one end of the central portion and a lead-out region at the opposite end of the central portion, the circumferential distance between the lead-in and the lead-out portions being substantially equal to the circumferential distance between the notches in the twine disc. 
 
   
   
     3. The holding device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the lead-in region has a reduced radius of curvature and the lead-out region has an increased radius of curvature, as compared to the central portion of the curved edge such that the pressure on the twines in one notch is gradually reduced at the same time as pressure applied to the twines in the next notch is gradually increased. 
 
   
   
     4. The holding device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the twine disc comprises at least two axially spaced plates and the twine holder comprises at least one single plate sized and positioned to be received between the plates of the twine disc. 
 
   
   
     5. The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the twine disc comprises at least two axially spaced plates and the twine holder comprises at least one single plate sized and positioned to be received between the plates of the twine disc. 
 
   
   
     6. The holding device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the twine disc comprises at least two axially spaced plates and the twine holder comprises at least one single plate sized and positioned to be received between the plates of the twine disc.